Department of Justice

Twenty Seven South End Alleged Gang Members Charged With Drug and Firearm Offenses

Boston – Twenty seven individuals, many of whom are affiliated with the Lenox Street Cardinals, and other street gangs operating in the Lenox Street Housing Development area of Boston’s South End, have been charged with federal and state drug and firearms offenses.

Seventeen federal indictments and one criminal complaint were unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Boston, charging 19 defendants with distribution and possession of drugs and firearms in the Lenox Street Housing Development. In addition, eight individuals from the same area were charged in criminal complaints with drug distribution by state authorities.

“Through their sale of weapons and drugs, these defendants bring violence, fear and intimidation to a community in the heart of this City,” said United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz. “Lenox Street’s residents, surrounded by illegal activity and the violence that accompanies it, are made to feel like prisoners in their own homes. As the Department of Justice, we are committed to assisting residents in reclaiming their right live in a peaceful environment free from drugs, guns and violence.”

“ATF will continue to aggressively partner with its federal, state, and local law enforcement counterparts to dismantle criminal street gangs, and their drug trafficking and violence committed through the use of firearms”, said Daniel Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division. “Furthermore, it demonstrates that law enforcement will not standby and allow these criminal street gangs to get away with such acts, which creates fear for the residents within the community.”

“These arrests send a strong message that illegal drugs and guns have no place on the streets of Boston,” said Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans. “I want to commend all of my officers and our partners from the ATF, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office for their coordinated efforts during this lengthy investigation.”

“The children and families who live at the Lenox Street Housing Development deserve a safe, healthy environment free of the violence that goes hand in hand with the drug trade. Local, state, and federal authorities will never waver in our commitment to those families and their right to live free of fear,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley.

The investigation was initiated in January 2015 with the principal goal of curtailing drug and gun trafficking that tyrannizes the Lenox Street Housing Development and severely disrupts the lives of residents. The Development and surrounding areas have historically suffered from the violence that accompanies these illegal activities. According to the Boston Police Department’s Boston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC), the Lenox area was one of the City’s top 10 hotspots for violence in 2015. In fact, there were 30 shootings and more than 75 reports of shots fired in the area from March 2012 to June 2015.

The following defendants were charged in federal indictments or criminal complaint with:

Distribution of controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a public housing project:

Byron Alexander, aka “Shizz”

Dontane Bryant, aka “Tane”;

Tyler Deloach, aka “Tek”;

John Depina, aka “Dough”;

Stephen Freeman, aka “Stizz”;

Perry Hasberry, aka “Percy”

Rasean Hills, aka “Bleed”;

Keron-Randall Lewis, aka “Talent”;

Frank Melo, aka “Cuts”;

Pablo Moreta, aka “Migo”;

Anthony Nunez, aka “Dizzo”;

Hassan Parham, aka “Hizzy”;

James Richardson, aka “9-Ball”;

Derek Roberts, aka “Keas”;

Ellis Santos, aka “Slim Black”;

Anthony Williams aka “Batz.”

Distribution of a controlled substance:

Lawrence Bogarty, aka “LB”; and

Daryl Tolbert, aka “Blaze.”

Felon-in-possession of a firearm and ammunition:

George Deeble, aka “Smiley”; and

Pablo Moresta, aka “Migo.”

Ten of the nineteen federal defendants were arrested this morning and will appear later this afternoon in federal court.

The charge of distribution of controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a public housing project provides a mandatory minimum sentence of one year and no greater than 40 years in prison, a minimum of six years of supervised release and a fine of up to $2 million. The charge of distribution of a controlled substance provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office charged the following individuals in criminal complaints:

Distribution of cocaine:

Spencer Oyeyemi

Danielle Stokes

Monique McFarlin

Marquetta Matthews

Distribution of heroin:

Hector Delvalle

Distribution of methamphetamine:

Shomari Copeland

Possession of a firearm:

Markus Perry

Possession and illegal sale of firearm and ammunition:

Steven Allen

The investigation is continuing.

The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Boston Police Department’s Youth Violence Strike Force and District D-4 Drug Control Unit; and the Boston Housing Authority Police. The federal cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys in Ortiz’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit. The state cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys in Conley’s Gang and Drug Units.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

For information on the state charges, please contact Jake Wark at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.